Man, 75, arrested in Winnipeg hit-and-run death of Chris Nero
CBC News | Posted: May 21, 2015 3:51 PM | Last Updated: May 21, 2015
Police unsure of whether drugs, alcohol played a factor in death of 22-year-old
Winnipeg police have arrested a 75-year-old man in connection with the hit-and-run death of Chris Nero.
The 22-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle on May 2. The driver left the scene.
Nero was found unconscious near Inkster Boulevard and Bunting Street around 11:30 p.m. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and died a short time later.
On May 9, police said they suspected the vehicle that struck and killed Nero was small and likely had a smashed front end. On Wednesday, police received a tip from someone about a car that fit that description.
"It was that that caused an individual who had contact with this fellow to go, 'you know what, that car wasn't like that, now all of a sudden it is, and that's suspicious,'" said Const. Eric Hofley, adding police had dozens of calls after releasing the description of the vehicle that killed Nero.
Police couldn't say whether the suspect was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. He has no history with the police.
The man was released on a promise to appear in court. He's facing charges for failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death.
'Worst two and a half weeks of my life'
"It was the worst two and a half weeks of my life," said Robyn Werner, Nero's mom.
Werner said her son was walking home with friends when he was hit. She's relieved charges have been laid.
"[Police] told me it was a 75-year-old man who didn't see him and who panicked and left," said Werner. "I'll never have closure, but it helps to — now you can move on and heal,"
2nd fatal hit and run in 5 months
Nero's death was the second to have happened on Inkster Boulevard in the past five months, involving a driver hitting a pedestrian then leaving the scene.
Cody Joss, 21, died while trying to cross Inkster Boulevard near McGregor Street on Dec. 20, 2014.
Police believe he was struck by a dark-coloured truck.
The driver still hasn't been found in that case.